Patent application title: ELECTRIC POWER SYSTEM

Abstract:

In order to provide an electric power system in which a plurality of
electric power suppliers and demanders is configured by being mutually
connected by electric power supply and demand control devices, the
electric power system being not only self-sustainable without depending
on a known electric power system, but also capable of coexisting with the
known electric power system; the electric power system is such configured
that a plurality of electric power suppliers and demanders is mutually
connected via an electric power supply and demand line (W), the electric
power supplier and demander being provided with a power generation device
101, an electrical storage devices 102, a plurality of loads 103, and an
electric power supply and demand control devices 104. The electric power
supply and demand control device 51 judges whether or not electric power
shortage is occurred or whether or not electric power surplus is occurred
in the electric power supplier and demander 11 provided with the electric
power supply and demand control device 51 based on data on total electric
energy, the amount of maximum electric power demanded, and the amount of
total electric power demanded of the following day in each electric power
supplier and demander, predicted by a neural network; receives electric
power from other electric power suppliers and demanders 12 to 15 provided
with the power generation devices 101 and 151 and/or the electrical
storage devices 102 and 152 in the case where electric power shortage is
occurred in the electric power supplier and demander 11; and controls to
deliver electric power to other electric power suppliers and demanders 12
to 15 in the case where electric power surplus is occurred in the
electric power supplier and demander 11.

Claims:

1. An electric power system in which a plurality of electric power
suppliers and demanders is mutually connected, the electric power
supplier and demander being provided with one or a plurality of power
generation devices, one or a plurality of electrical storage devices and
one or a plurality of electric power consumption devices, and an electric
power supply and demand control device,wherein each of said electric
power supply and demand control devices judges whether or not electric
power shortage is occurred or whether or not electric power surplus is
occurred in each of said electric power suppliers and demanders provided
with the electric power supply and demand control device, receives
electric power from other electric power supplier and demander provided
with said power generation device and/or said electrical storage device
in the case where electric power shortage is occurred in the electric
power supplier and demander, and controls to deliver electric power to
other electric power supplier and demander in the case where electric
power surplus is occurred in said electric power supplier and demander;
andcontrols the plurality of said power generation devices in respective
electric power suppliers and demanders in the delivery and receipt of
electric power among respective electric power suppliers and
demanders,the control being automatically or manually performed based on
that a pattern classification model for a neural network is formed in a
computer,total production of electricity, maximum electric power demand,
and total electric power demand of the following day are predicted based
on at least past actual performance data, weather forecast and calendar
information of the following day, and theoretical amount of solar
radiation at fine weather of the day,actual performance data of the
forecast items and weather, calendar information, and theoretical amount
of solar radiation of a past fixed period including at least the day are
collected for neural network relearning,the relearning is performed by an
error back propagation algorithm based on the prediction data and actual
performance data of the day, andthe total production of electricity, the
amount of maximum electric power demanded, and the amount of total
electric power demanded of the following day are predicted by an updated
neural network.

2. The electric power system according to claim 1,wherein, when
accommodation of delivery and receipt of excess or deficient electric
power is performed among respective electric power suppliers and
demanders based on the total production of electricity, the amount of
maximum electric power demanded, and the amount of total electric power
demanded for each electric power supplier and demander predicted by the
neural network, said respective electric power suppliers and demanders
exchange information on its electric energy and timing among said
respective electric power supply and demand control devices.

3. The electric power system according to claim 1 or 2,further comprising
an electrical storage device such as a battery capable of operating an
electrical device for a predetermined time, said electrical storage
device being mounted in the electrical device whose electric power
consumption is large or starting electric power is large, such as a
refrigerator and an air conditioner in each electric power supplier and
demander.

4. An electric power system in which a plurality of electric power
suppliers and demanders is mutually connected, the electric power
supplier and demander being provided with at least one device selected
from one or a plurality of power generation devices, one or a plurality
of electrical storage devices and one or a plurality of electric power
consumption devices, and an electric power supply and demand control
device,wherein said plurality of the electric power suppliers and
demanders is sectioned into a plurality of groups; andsaid electric power
supply and demand control device which belongs to each groupjudges
whether or not electric power shortage is occurred or whether or not
electric power surplus is occurred in the group;receives electric power
from other group to which said electric power supplier and demander
provided with said power generation device and/or said electrical storage
device belongs in the case where electric power shortage is occurred in
the group, and controls to deliver electric power to other group in the
case where electric power surplus is occurred in the group; andcontrols
the plurality of said power generation devices in said respective
electric power suppliers and demanders of the respective groups in the
delivery and receipt of electric power among the respective groups,the
control being automatically or manually performed based on that a pattern
classification model for a neural network is formed in a computer,total
production of electricity, maximum electric power demand, and total
electric power demand of the following day are predicted based on at
least past actual performance data, weather forecast and calendar
information of the following day, and theoretical amount of solar
radiation at fine weather of the day,actual performance data of the
forecast items and weather, calendar information, and theoretical amount
of solar radiation of a past fixed period including at least the day are
collected for neural network relearning,the relearning is performed by an
error back propagation algorithm based on the prediction data and actual
performance data of the day, andthe total production of electricity, the
amount of maximum electric power demanded, the amount of total electric
power demanded of the following day are predicted by an updated neural
network.

5. The electric power system according to claim 4,wherein, when
accommodation of delivery and receipt of excess or deficient electric
power is performed among respective electric power suppliers and
demanders based on the total production of electricity, the amount of
maximum electric power demanded, and the amount of total electric power
demanded for each electric power supplier and demander predicted by the
neural network, said respective electric power suppliers and demanders
exchange information on its electric energy and timing among said
respective electric power supply and demand control devices.

6. The electric power system according to claim 4 or 5,further comprising
an electrical storage device such as a battery capable of operating an
electrical device for a predetermined time, said electrical storage
device being mounted in the electrical device whose electric power
consumption is large or starting electric power is large, such as a
refrigerator and an air conditioner in each electric power supplier and
demander.

7. The electric power system according to claim 4 or 5,wherein the
plurality of said electric power suppliers and demanders are connected to
a branched electric power supply and demand line, a beaded electric power
supply and demand line, a radiated electric power supply and demand line,
a net shaped electric power supply and demand line, or an electric power
supply and demand line combined with these lines.

8. The electric power system according to claim 4 or 5,wherein the
plurality of said electric power suppliers and demanders are mutually
connected in DC.

Description:

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001]The present invention relates to an electric power system in which a
plurality of electric power suppliers and demanders is mutually connected
by electric power supply and demand control devices.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002]In a known electric power system, as shown in FIG. 10, "radial
system," in which a large-scale power plant 91 is a top and demanders 92
are a base, is fundamental. In FIG. 10, in order to ensure a plurality of
transmission systems, a "loop system" is introduced in some part. This
kind of electric power system is configured, as a single system, in a
broad area (for example, several tens of thousands km2) and large
scale (several tens GW).

[0003]On the other hand, in recent years, a distributed power generation
system of a system collaborative type (for example, refer to Patent
Document 1) with solar generation and a fuel cell has been focused. The
distributed power generation system of the system collaborative type is
usually built in an end region or a local region near the end of the
known radiated electric power system, and is premised on interconnection
with the electric power system.

[0004]In the known electric power system structure shown in FIG. 10, since
transportation of electric power is massively carried out over a long
distance and is always continuously performed ("simultaneous equal amount
rule"), there are a lot of losses; and in electric generation come from
reproducible energy such as solar energy and wind power energy, since its
reproducible energy is ubiquitous, it is difficult to build a large scale
power plant using these energies.

[0005]An object of the present invention is to provide an electric power
system in which a plurality of electric power suppliers and demanders who
demand electric power and also supply electric power is configured by
being mutually connected by electric power supply and demand control
devices, the electric power system being self-sustainable without
depending on the known electric power system. This does not intend that
the system of the present invention eliminates coexisting with the known
electric power system.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006]According to a first configuration of an electric power system of
the present invention to solve the above problem, there is provided an
autonomous distributed electric power system which accommodates excess or
deficient electric power among respective electric power suppliers and
demanders with each other, in which a plurality of electric power
suppliers and demanders is directly or indirectly mutually connected, the
electric power supplier and demander being provided with one or a
plurality of power generation devices, one or a plurality of electrical
storage devices and one or a plurality of electric power consumption
devices, and an electric power supply and demand control device.

[0007]In the electric power system, each of the electric power supply and
demand control devices judges whether or not electric power shortage is
occurred or whether or not electric power surplus is occurred in each of
the electric power suppliers and demanders provided with the electric
power supply and demand control device, receives electric power from
other electric power supplier and demander in the case where electric
power shortage is occurred in the electric power supplier and demander,
and controls to deliver electric power to other electric power supplier
and demander in the case where electric power surplus is occurred in the
electric power supplier and demander.

[0008]The above judgment and control are automatically or manually
performed based on that a pattern classification model for a neural
network is formed in a computer,

[0009]total production of electricity, the amount of maximum electric
power demanded, and the amount of total electric power demanded of the
following day are predicted based on of at least past actual performance
data, weather forecast and calendar information of the following day, and
theoretical amount of solar radiation at fine weather and wind-force of
the day,

[0010]actual performance data of the forecast items and weather, calendar
information, theoretical amount of solar radiation and wind-force and the
like of a past fixed period including at least the day are collected for
neural network relearning,

[0011]the relearning is performed by an error back propagation algorithm
based on the prediction data and actual performance data of the day, and

[0012]the total production of electricity, the amount of maximum electric
power demanded, and the amount of total electric power demanded of the
following day are predicted by an updated neural network.

[0013]Furthermore, according to a second configuration of an electric
power system of the present invention, there is provided an electric
power system in which a plurality of electric power suppliers and
demanders is mutually connected, the electric power supplier and demander
being provided with at least one device selected from one or a plurality
of power generation devices, one or a plurality of electrical storage
devices and one or a plurality of electric power consumption devices, and
an electric power supply and demand control device.

[0014]In the electric power system, the plurality of the electric power
suppliers and demanders is sectioned into a plurality of groups; and

[0015]the electric power supply and demand control device which belongs to
each group

[0016]judges whether or not electric power shortage is occurred or whether
or not electric power surplus is occurred in the group,

[0017]receives electric power from other group to which the electric power
supplier and demander provided with the power generation device and/or
the electrical storage device belongs in the case where electric power
shortage is occurred in the group, and controls to deliver electric power
to other group in the case where electric power surplus is occurred in
the group, and

[0018]controls the plurality of the power generation devices in the
respective electric power suppliers and demanders of the respective
groups in the delivery and receipt of electric power among the respective
groups.

[0019]The above judgment and control are automatically or manually judged
and controlled based on that a pattern classification model for a neural
network is formed in a computer,

[0020]total production of electricity, the amount of maximum electric
power demanded, and the amount of total electric power demanded of the
following day are predicted based on at least past actual performance
data, weather forecast and calendar information of the following day, and
theoretical amount of solar radiation at fine weather and wind-force of
the day,

[0021]actual performance data of the forecast items and weather, calendar
information, and theoretical amount of solar radiation of a past fixed
period including at least the day are collected for neural network
relearning,

[0022]the relearning is performed by an error back propagation algorithm
based on the prediction data and actual performance data of the day, and

[0023]the total production of electricity, the amount of maximum electric
power demanded, and the amount of total electric power demanded of the
following day are predicted by an updated neural network.

[0024]Each electric power supplier and demander of the electric power
system of the present invention can set or change operating conditions of
the electric power supply and demand control device of each electric
power supplier and demander based on prediction information of the total
production of electricity, the amount of maximum electric power demanded,
and the amount of total electric power demanded of the following day of
other electric power supplier and demander obtained from other electric
power supplier and demander.

[0025]In the exchange between surplus electric power and shortage electric
power which are supplied and demanded among the respective electric power
suppliers and demanders, information on the supply and demand electric
power (for example, power supplying total electric energy and power
supplying time, power receiving electric energy/time and power receiving
time, and the like) are exchanged from the power supplying side to the
power receiving side and from the power receiving side to the power
supplying side via a communication network such as the Internet; and
accordingly, it is possible to monitor whether or not the supply and
demand of power generation is properly performed, for example, it is
possible to check whether or not electric power is stolen in midstream.

[0026]In the electric power system of the present invention, the
electrical storage device in the electric power supplier and demander can
use a storage battery and an electric double-layer capacitor together.
Furthermore, in an electrical device such as an individual refrigerator
and air conditioner in each electric power supplier and demander, there
is a case where one provided with an electrical storage device serving as
a backup power source such as a battery which can operate the device for
a predetermined time, for example, about 2 hours.

[0027]The electrical storage device makes up for electric power shortage
at a peak, the peak being a peak of electric power demand in general
households or offices which is difficult to be predicted, viewed from
electric power supply performance by a power generation device and an
electrical storage device in each electric power supplier and demander;
and accordingly, there is an advantage capable of reducing unnecessary
backup electric power facilities in each electric power supplier and
demander.

[0028]Incidentally, in an electric power system depending on the known
electric power system, backup electric power that would be necessary is
set by dividing respective demander strata into several strata and by
taking in peak electric power consumption of the respective demander
strata; and therefore, it is assumed that large backup electric power
facilities are essential. In this point, in the system of the present
invention, electric power which is insufficient at the peak in general
households whose demand peak is difficult to be predicted is, in a
manner, self-compensated. Therefore, total backup electric power
facilities in nations and regions can be reduced.

[0029]In this case, it is preferable to quantitatively comprehend a change
in the amount of electrical storage of the storage battery and its charge
and discharge transient operation characteristics. This can properly
comprehend and analyze charge and discharge phenomena of the storage
battery and the electric double-layer capacitor.

[0030]When the amount of electrical storage of the storage battery is
detected, the amount of charge and discharge can be controlled so that
its detected value is not to be less than a predetermined lower limit;
accordingly, transient response characteristics of the capacitor can be
utilized without involving unnecessary consumption of the storage
battery.

[0031]Further, in the present invention, although not shown in the
drawing, a movable power generation device and/or a movable electrical
storage device provided by any electric power supplier are/is moved to
other electric power supplier and delivery and receipt of necessary
electric power can be performed there.

[0032]In the system of the present invention, surplus electric power which
is still overabundant in each electric power supplier and demander is put
together as electric power circumstances or electric power information in
a plurality of electric power suppliers and demanders based on electric
power data in which data of the surplus electric power is collected from
each electric power supplier and demander and these are totaled, treated,
and accumulated; and the surplus electric power can be intended for
buying and selling transaction of electric power and emission credit of
global warming gas. Incidentally, not only surplus electric power, but
also all electric power of reproducible energetic origin can be intended
depending on rules of nations and regions.

[0033]For example, each electric power data, in which the surplus electric
power in each electric power supplier and demander is measured, is
accumulated in temporal sequence as each electric power information; and
the electric power information accumulated for each predetermined time
which can be arbitrarily set is sent to a putting-together server unit.
The putting-together server unit receives the electric power information
sent from a plurality of electric power suppliers and demanders and
totals; and registers in database in the putting-together server unit and
puts together.

[0034]Then, the electric power information statistically treated by the
putting-together server unit; past actual performance is educed; and
future electric power predicted based on the information can be put on
sale to electric power buying and selling markets.

[0035]Furthermore, the electric power information is cumulatively treated
by the putting-together server unit; and is further converted to the
amount of reduction in global warming gas by a deductive method in
accordance with established laws and ordinances, and rules and
regulations, or by an appropriate deductive method. Then, the future
amount of reduction in global warming gas predicted based on actual
performance of the past converted amount of reduction in global warming
gas can be put on sale to buying and selling markets as the emission
credit of the global warming gas.

Effect of the Invention

[0036]The present invention is an electric power system in which a known
electric power system is not provided and each electric power supplier
and demander is basically independent. That is, each electric power
supplier and demander performs control of sending and receiving (also
referred to as delivery and receipt, hereinafter, same as above) of
electric power with other electric power suppliers and demanders by a
neural network based on prediction data such as prediction production of
electricity and the amount of prediction electric power demanded of each
electric power supply and demand when electric power shortage or electric
power surplus is occurred; and accordingly, it becomes possible to
achieve independence in the whole system in which respective electric
power suppliers and demanders are coupled by an electric power network.

[0037]In the present invention, a plurality of the electric power
suppliers and demanders can be connected to a branched electric power
supply and demand line, a beaded electric power supply and demand line, a
radiated electric power supply and demand line, a net shaped electric
power supply and demand line, or an electric power supply and demand line
combined by these lines (hereinafter, the before mentioned each line is
also referred to as an electric power supply and demand network in the
present invention).

[0038]In the present invention, respective electric power suppliers and
demanders control electric power supply and demand of the respective
electric power suppliers and demanders while exchanging supply and demand
information of mutual electric power among the respective electric power
supply and demand control devices. Information exchange at this time can
be performed via a data communication network such as the Internet.

[0039]In the present invention, a plurality of the electric power
suppliers and demanders can be connected in DC with each other in order
to sufficiently utilize advantage of DC electrical transmission and
distribution.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0040]FIG. 1 is an explanation diagram showing an embodiment of an
electric power system of the present invention;

[0041]FIG. 2 is a block diagram exemplifying a configuration of one
electric power supplier and demander and an electric power supply and
demand control device thereof;

[0042]FIG. 3 is an explanation diagram at a time when an electric power
supply and demand control device of an electric power supplier and
demander performs supply and demand of AC electric power with other
electric power supplier and demander in an electric power system of the
present invention;

[0043]FIG. 4 is an explanation diagram at a time when an electric power
supply and demand control device of an electric power supplier and
demander performs supply and demand of DC electric power with other
electric power supplier and demander in an electric power system of the
present invention;

[0044]FIG. 5 is an explanation diagram in the case of supplying DC
electric power to a load via house wiring of an electric power supplier
and demander in an electric power system of the present invention;

[0045]FIG. 6 is an explanation diagram showing a state where electric
power suppliers and demanders are hierarchized in an electric power
system of the present invention;

[0046]FIG. 7(A) is an explanation diagram in the case where electric power
suppliers and demanders are connected in a branched shape;

[0047]FIG. 7(B) is an explanation diagram in the case where the electric
power suppliers and demanders are connected in a star shape; and

[0048]FIG. 7(C) is an explanation diagram in the case where the electric
power suppliers and demanders are connected in a net shape;

[0049]FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an electric power supplier
and demander connected via an electric power supply and demand line which
is different from a plurality of other electric power suppliers and
demanders;

[0050]FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing process example of a neural
network: and

[0051]FIG. 10 is an explanation diagram showing a known electric power
system.

[0052]An electric power system 1 shown in FIG. 1 shows only electric power
suppliers and demanders of a plurality of electric power suppliers and
demanders 11 to 15. The respective electric power suppliers and demanders
11 to 15 are mutually connected via an electric power supply and demand
line W.

[0053]The electric power supplier and demander 11 is provided with a power
generation device 101, an electrical storage device 102, a plurality of
loads (electrical devices) 103, and an electric power supply and demand
control device 104. Incidentally, a plurality of electrical devices 103
is shown by A1, A2, . . . , An. Furthermore, in FIG. 1, other electric
power suppliers and demanders 12, 13, and 14 and other electric power
supplier and demander (not shown in the drawing) are also provided with a
power generation device, an electrical storage device, a plurality of
loads (electrical devices), and an electric power supply and demand
control device as in the electric power supplier and demander 11; and,
each device is connected to branched shape house wiring. Incidentally,
there is also a case where all the respective electric power suppliers
and demanders or arbitrary electric power suppliers and demanders mount
the power generation device 101 and/or the electrical storage device 102
on a pallet of a truck or the like or provide them in a mountable manner,
and deliver the power generation device 101 and/or the electrical storage
device 102 to other electric power suppliers and demanders as needed; and
delivery and receipt of electric power is performed there.

[0054]In the present invention, the respective electric power suppliers
and demanders are loosely coupled thereamong. That is, each of the
electric power suppliers and demanders is basically of an independent
type, can receive electric power from other electric power supplier and
demander when electric power shortage is occurred, and can supply
electric power to other electric power supplier and demander when
electric power surplus is occurred.

[0055]The electric power supplier and demander 11 is, for example, general
houses, multiple dwelling houses, small, medium, and large scale
factories, low-rise, medium-rise, and high-rise buildings and the like.
Further, a group in which these general houses and multiple dwelling
houses are collected can also serve as the electric power supplier and
demander 11 of the present invention.

[0056]Typically, the power generation device 101 is a solar generator and
a DC power supply such as a fuel cell or the like. There is also a case
where wind generation, biomass generation, or a co-generation system
(hereinafter, referred to as co-gene in this description) such as a gas
engine system, a gas turbine system, a fuel cell system, and the like is
used as the power generation device 101. A wind generation device, a
biomass generation device, and the co-gene usually serve as an AC power
supply; however, its output is AC/DC converted and can be used as a DC
power supply. In addition, the electrical storage device 102 serves as a
DC power supply.

[0057]Further, although not shown in the drawing, a flywheel unit can also
be used for the power generation device 101. The flywheel unit can also
be used for the electrical storage device 102. Furthermore, an electrical
storage device combined by a storage battery and an electric double-layer
capacitor is also included. There is a case where the power generation
device 101 and/or the electrical storage device 102 are/is mounted on a
truck pallet or the like and moved to other electric power supplier, and
delivery and receipt of electric power is performed there. The load 103
is, for example, a DC device or an AC device, such as an electric light,
an air conditioner, a refrigerator, an electromagnetic cooking device, a
rice cooker, and the like.

[0058]As shown in FIG. 2, by way of example, the electric power supply and
demand control device 104 has a control unit 104b which detects a time
when electric power surplus is occurred in the electric power supplier
and demander 11, for example, a time when the amount of electric power
use of the load 103 is reduced and the electrical storage device 102 is
near full charge or full charge and can supply electric power generated
by the power generation device 101 from an electric power sending and
receiving unit 104a to other electric power supplier and demander or the
electric power supplier and demander 15, which is connected to the
electric power supply and demand line W. There is also a case where this
supply of electric power is performed by movement of the power generation
device 101 or movement of the electrical storage device 102 without using
the electric power supply and demand line W. Furthermore, the electric
power supply and demand control device 104 has the control unit 104b
which detects a time when electric power shortage is occurred in the
electric power supplier and demander 11, for example, a time when the
amount of electric power use of the load 103 is rapidly increased. Then,
the electric power supply and demand control device 104 has the electric
power sending and receiving unit 104a which receives electric power via
the electric power supply and demand control devices of other electric
power suppliers and demanders 12, 13, and 14 in which electric power
surplus is occurred, the electric power suppliers and demanders being
connected to the electric power supply and demand line W, or via an
electric power supply and demand control device 153 (to be described
later) of the electric power supplier and demander 15 and can drive the
load 103 through control of the control unit 104b, or can store in the
electrical storage device 102.

[0059]The electric power supplier and demander 15 includes a power
generation device 151, an electrical storage device 152, and the electric
power supply and demand control device 153. Incidentally, the electric
power supplier and demander can include only either the power generation
device or the electrical storage device. The power generation device 151
is typically a middle scale facility for thermal power, hydraulic power,
wind power and the like including a co-gene and a biomass generation
facility; and the electrical storage device 152 is typically a secondary
battery; however, there is also one which is combined by the storage
battery (secondary battery) and the electric double-layer capacitor. The
electric power supplier and demander 15 can supply electric power to the
electric power supplier and demander 11 (or, other electric power
suppliers and demanders 12 to 14 and the like) as described above via the
electric power supply and demand control device 153. Furthermore,
conversely, the electric power supplier and demander 15 can receive
supply of electric power from the electric power supplier and demander 11
(or, other electric power suppliers 12 to 14 and the like). Delivery and
receipt of electric power in the electric power supplier and demander 15
is also performed via the electric power supply and demand control
device; however, as described before, the delivery and receipt of the
electric power may be performed by introducing the movable power
generation device and electrical storage device of other electric power
supplier and demander to the supplier and demander 15.

[0060]Electric power in which the electric power supplier and demander 15
supplies to the electric power supplier and demander 11 and the like is
electric power generated by the power generation device 151 or electric
power stored in the electrical storage device 152; and electric power in
which the electric power supplier and demander 15 is supplied from the
electric power supplier and demander 11 and the like is stored in the
electrical storage device 152. In the electric power system of the
present invention, a plurality of power generation devices including a
co-gene and a biomass generator in respective power suppliers and
demanders can be controlled both automatically and manually based on
weather forecast, electric power demand prediction, values based on heat
demand prediction, values set by each electric power supplier and
demander, or the like in the delivery and receipt of electric power via
the electric power supply and demand control device of each electric
power supplier and demander (refer to 104c shown in FIG. 2). Further,
each electric power supplier and demander refers to various information
from the electric power supply and demand control device in other
electric power supplier and demander and can set or change operating
conditions of the electric power supply and demand control device of the
electric power supplier and demander based on the amount of electric
power consumption which is estimated by the electric power supplier and
demander (refer to FIG. 2).

[0061]In the above respective power generation devices 101 and 105,
control may be made individually for each power generation device, for
example, a solar generator is controlled by a conditioner; and a fuel
cell and a micro generator are controlled by a power conditioner.
However, in the electric power system of the present invention, a control
element common to each power generation device is overall controlled by
the electric power supply and demand control devices 104 and 105 and a
control element specific to an individual power generation device is
individually controlled; accordingly, the power generation devices 101
and the same 151 in a handful of the electric power supplier and demander
11 and the same 15 can be optimally controlled as a whole.

[0062]Incidentally, each power generation device such as a known solar
generator and a fuel cell only performs control of full output control
and system connection by each power conditioner; however, in the present
invention, electric power to be supplied and demanded by utilizing a
flywheel unit or the like is equalized between output of each power
generation device from zero to full output, so that control can be made
freely by the electric power supply and demand control devices 104 and
153.

[0063]On the other hand, the above electrical storage devices 102 and 152
typically use a secondary battery independently as a DC power supply.
However, in the electric power system of the present invention, the
storage battery (secondary battery) and the electric double-layer
capacitor can be used together for the electrical storage devices 102 and
152.

[0064]When the above storage battery and the electric double-layer
capacitor are used together, for example, control to use depending on
electrical storage characteristics and discharge characteristics is
controlled by the electric power supply and demand control devices 104
and 153; accordingly, it becomes possible to reasonably respond to
diversification of supply and demand mode of electric power in each
electric power supplier and demander or diversification of supply mode of
electric power in each supplier and demander.

[0065]In this case, the storage battery and the electric double-layer
capacitor are decentrally arranged, for example, the electric
double-layer capacitor is mounted on the electric power supply and demand
control devices 104 and the same 153, and the storage battery is
separately disposed or mounted on the electrical device 103; accordingly,
a remaining battery level of the electrical storage devices 102 and 152
can be passed to supply according to priority order of electric power
demand destinations by way of example.

[0066]Further, formerly, various kinds of electrical devices serving as
the load 103 provided with the electric power supplier and demander 11
are individually operated by simply individually inputting and cutting
off (ON and OFF) electric power.

[0067]However, in the electric power system of the present invention, a
starting preferential order and the size of starting electric power
(descending order, or reverse order thereof) of an individual electrical
device such as a refrigerator, an air conditioner, a TV, or the like,
which constitutes the load 103 in the electric power supplier and
demander 11, are set in the electric power supply and demand control
device 104; for example, control is made so as to be an order in which a
starting order (or a cutting off order) or an order in which an
electromotive force is in a descending order; accordingly, it becomes
possible to equalize electric power consumption. Furthermore, when an
electrical device with large starting electric power is started, the
electric power supply and demand control device 104 can be actuated so
that electric power at a time of starting of a device with large starting
electric power is supplied from the storage battery provided with the
electric double-layer capacitor and the flywheel unit.

[0068]Further, for difficult predictable electric power demand in general
households and its peak time, for example, an electrical storage device
such as a battery capable of operating the device 103 for approximately 2
hours is mounted in the electrical device 103 such as a household
refrigerator and an air conditioner so that electric power shortage at
the demand peak time can be made up in the inside of the electric power
demander. This technique also contributes to equalization of electric
power consumption.

[0069]When electric power consumption can be equalized by controlling
priority order at a time of starting as described above, there can be
performed dispersion control of an excess current which is easy to flow
to the electric power supply and demand control device 104 and the
respective electrical devices 103 at a time of starting of the respective
electrical devices 103; therefore, there can be prolonged duration of
life of the control device 104 itself, the respective electrical devices,
or wiring components such as wiring for connecting therebetween.

[0070]In addition, control can be made so as not to cause a large
pulsation or so as to be difficult to cause a pulsation in which current
becomes maximum or minimum by the electric power supply and demand
control device 104. Therefore, it is useful for ensuring more stable
operation of the electric power supply and demand control device 104 and
the individual electrical device 103.

[0071]Further, the electric power supply and demand control device 104 and
the electric power use are made in DC so that the standby mode of the TV
for example or the standby operation of other devices can be eliminated.
Therefore, waste of power consumption can be suppressed.

[0072]In the electric power system shown in FIG. 1, in the case where the
electric power supply and demand control device 104 performs supply and
demand of electric power with other electric power suppliers and
demanders 12 to 15, the electric power supply and demand control device
104 exchanges information with electric power supply and demand control
devices of the other electric power suppliers and demanders and
determines supply and demand conditions or the like.

[0073]In the electric power system of the present invention, total
production of electricity, the amount of maximum electric power demanded,
and the amount of total electric power demanded of the following day of
each electric power supplier and demander, in which prediction values can
be obtained by a neural network of the control block shown in FIG. 9, can
be served as the above information to be information-exchanged. This
point will be described in the following.

[0074]In the present invention, first, "solar cell total production of
electricity," "the amount of daily maximum electric power demanded," and
"the amount of daily total electric power demanded" of the following day
of each electric power supplier and demander are estimated (predicted).
The estimation is performed by inputting weather forecast of the
following day and past weather information, each actual performance of
"solar cell total production of electricity," "the amount of daily
maximum electric power demanded," and "the amount of daily total electric
power demanded," calendar information (day of the week and public
holiday), and theoretical amount of solar radiation data in a region and
its neighboring region of each supplier and demander, in a hierarchy-type
neural network.

[0075]The neural network learns a climate pattern in a region and a
periphery region of each electric power supplier and demander and data
combination of actual performance of total production of electricity and
electric power demand in the region as a pattern; and performs nonlinear
interpolation estimation by checking a weather forecast pattern of the
following day against the past pattern.

[0076]The pattern learning performs update of a model using daily
observational data. Therefore, estimation accuracy also continues to
improve day by day. Furthermore, the pattern learning can respond by
autonomous model update to environmental variation (solar cell total
production of electricity, change in demander, longer-term weather
fluctuation, medium-term abnormal meteorological phenomena, and the like)
in each region of each electric power supplier and demander.
Incidentally, establishment of database of each supplier and demander in
a region of each electric power supplier and demander is not required.

[0077]The above prediction is performed by the following procedure.

[0078](i) Prepare a neural network model which predicts production of
electricity and the amount of electric power demanded (in the case of no
presence of the above data, a provisional model is made by dummy data).
Input past actual performance data, weather forecast and calendar
information of the following day, and the amount of solar radiation at
fine weather of the day (theoretical value) in the model. (At this time,
it is preferable to add weather information of not only the region but
also a neighboring region, in order to improve prediction accuracy.)

[0079](ii) Predict total production of electricity, the amount of maximum
electric power demanded, and the amount of total electric power demanded.
(Nonlinear interpolation estimation by pattern checking)

[0081]Collect actual performance data, and prepare neural network
relearning. The actual performance data are various kinds of actual
performance data of a past fixed period including the day (production of
electricity, maximum electric power, total electric power, weather,
calendar information, and theoretical amount of solar radiation at fine
weather).

[0082](iv) Make the neural network relearn using back propagation (error
back propagation algorithm).

[0083](v) Predict total production of electricity, the amount of maximum
electric power demanded, and the amount of total electric power demanded
of the following day by an updated neural network.

[0085]If prediction values (data) of the total production of electricity,
the amount of maximum electric power demanded, and total electric energy
of the following day in each electric power supplier and demander are
obtained by performing as described above, sending and receiving of
electric power of the following day among respective electric power
suppliers and demanders is decided in advance after mutually comparing
and considering respective data by exchanging information (data) among
the respective electric power suppliers and demanders. Actual performance
data of sending and receiving of electric power of the day is remained,
and is served as one of basic data of sending and receiving of electric
power among the respective electric power suppliers and demanders from
the day after next (the following day as viewed from the day).

[0086]In the electric power system shown in FIG. 1, the supply and demand
of electric power among the electric power suppliers and demanders can be
performed by AC or can be performed by DC; however, in either case,
construction can be made as a local electric power system or construction
can be made as a large electric power system in which these electric
power systems are combined.

[0087]In the electric power system shown in FIG. 1, although not shown in
the drawing, there is also a case where the electric power supplier and
demander made up of only loads is connected to the electric power supply
and demand line W. Furthermore, in the electric power system shown in
FIG. 1, equalization of supply and demand electric power is performed by
mutually connecting many and various electric power suppliers and
demanders.

[0088]In the case where the electrical storage device 102 of the electric
power supplier and demander 11 is large capacity, and when it is high
cost, it becomes possible to purvey the loads by electric power to be
supplied from other electric power supplier and demander by using small
capacity as the electrical storage device 102 (or, not being provided
with the electrical storage device 102). In this case, it is preferable
that electric power suppliers and demanders different in time slot
electric power consumption pattern (for example, houses and business
establishments) exist together in the electric power system 1.
Furthermore, it is preferable that those different in electric generation
mode (for example, a solar generation device, a wind generation device,
and a biomass generation device) as the electric power supplier and
demander 15 exist together.

[0089]FIG. 3 is an explanation diagram showing electric power system in
which an electric power supply and demand control device of an electric
power supplier and demander performs supply and demand of AC electric
power with other electric power supplier and demander.

[0090]Electric power suppliers and demanders 11a, 12a, 13a, 14a, and 15a
shown in FIG. 3 correspond to the electric power suppliers and demanders
11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 shown in FIG. 1. An electric power supply and
demand control device 51 of the electric power supplier and demander 11a
shown in FIG. 3 includes a control device 511 and a bi-directional AC/DC
converter 512.

[0091]Control devices of the respective electric power suppliers and
demanders are configured so as to be able to perform data communication
by a communication line CL, and can exchange supply and demand
information in the case of the electric power supply and demand.

[0092]Furthermore, an electric power supply and demand control device 61
of the electric power supplier and demander 15a includes a control device
611, and a bi-directional AC/AC or DC/AC converter 612. When the supply
and demand of AC electric power is performed between the electric power
suppliers and demanders, voltage, current, frequency, and phase have to
be matched between both the electric power suppliers and demanders. This
matching is performed by the electric power supply and demand control
devices 51 and 61. Incidentally, in FIG. 3, although not shown in the
drawing, the electric power supply and demand control devices 51 and 61
can further include a circuit breaker, a current limiter, a watt-hour
meter, and the like. In addition, in the electric power supplier and
demander provided with the watt-hour meter and a capacitor, the control
devices 51 and 61 control discharge; and in the electric power supplier
and demander provided with a photovoltaic cell, there is provided with a
conditioner which takes out the maximum electric power from a nonlinear
electromotive force and adjusts to electric power of the rated
characteristics.

[0093]FIG. 4 is an explanation diagram showing electric power system in
which an electric power supply and demand control device of an electric
power supplier and demander performs supply and demand of DC electric
power with other electric power supplier and demander.

[0094]Electric power suppliers and demanders 11b, 12b, 13b, 14b, and 15b
shown in FIG. 4 correspond to the electric power suppliers and demanders
11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 shown in FIG. 1. An electric power supply and
demand control device 71 of the electric power supplier and demander 15b
shown in FIG. 4 includes a control device 711 and a bi-directional DC/DC
converter 712.

[0095]Control devices of the respective electric power suppliers and
demanders are configured so as to be able to perform data communication
by a communication line CL, and can exchange supply and demand
information in the case of the electric power supply and demand.

[0096]Furthermore, an electric power supply and demand control device 81
of the electric power supplier and demander 11b includes a control device
811, and a bi-directional DC/DC or DC/AC converter 812. When the supply
and demand of electric power in DC is performed between the electric
power suppliers and demanders, adjustment of voltage and current is
performed. Incidentally, in FIG. 4, although not shown in the drawing,
the electric power supply and demand control devices 71 and 81 can
further include a current limiter, a watt-hour meter, and the like. In
addition, in the electric power suppliers and demanders provided with the
watt-hour meter and a capacitor, their control devices 51 and 61 control
charge/discharge; and in the electric power supplier and demander
provided with a photovoltaic cell, there is provided with a conditioner
which takes out the maximum electric power from a nonlinear electromotive
force and adjusts to electric power of the rated characteristics.

[0097]FIG. 5 is an explanation diagram in the case of distributing DC
electric power to a load via house wiring of an electric power supplier
and demander.

[0098]In an electric power supplier and demander 11c shown in FIG. 5,
there is specifically shown the power generation device, the electrical
storage device, and a plurality of loads in the electric power supplier
and demander 11 shown in FIG. 1. Incidentally, an electric power supply
and demand control device 71 shown in FIG. 5 is the same as the electric
power supply and demand control device 71 shown in FIG. 4.

[0099]In the electric power supplier and demander 11c, the power
generation device is a solar generator 701 by way of example, the
electrical storage device is a battery 702, and the plurality of loads
are a DC load 7031 and an AC load 7032.

[0100]In this case, a bi-directional DC/DC converter 712 performs supply
and demand of electric power with the battery 702, the solar generator
701, and the DC load 7031 and performs supply and demand of electric
power with the AC load 7032 via a DC/AC converter 706.

[0101]Electric power generated by the solar generator 701 is supplied to
the battery 702 and the DC load 7031 via, for example, the bi-directional
DC/DC converter 712 or supplied to the AC load 7032 via the DC/AC
converter 706.

[0102]The electric power supply and demand control device 71 includes a
function which controls charging of the battery 702 and a function which
compensates for stable output to the side of house wiring L.

[0103]Electric power from the electric power supply and demand control
device 71 is supplied to the DC load 7031 via the house wiring L and the
DC outlet 7051. The electric power from the electric power supply and
demand control device 71 is supplied to the AC load 7032 via the house
wiring L, the DC/AC converter 706A, and the AC outlet 7052. Incidentally,
in FIG. 4, the DC outlet and the AC outlet are shown by one outlet,
respectively; however, the DC outlet and the AC outlet are provided with
a plurality of outlets, respectively, and the DC loads and the AC loads
can be connected to those outlets.

[0104]In the respective electric power suppliers and demanders 11, 15, and
the like in the electric power system of the present invention described
above, the electric power supply and demand control devices 104, 153, and
the like in which the respective electric power suppliers and demanders
11, 15, and the like include are served as nodes and the electrical
feeder line W among the respective electric power suppliers and demanders
11, 15, and the like is served as a link; accordingly, an electric power
network is formed. Therefore, the respective electric power supply and
demand control devices 104, 153, and the like are provided with a
function which controls exchange of electric power among the respective
electric power suppliers and demanders 11, 15, and the like.

[0105]The fundamental function of the electric power supply and demand
control devices 104 and 153 is determination of the electric power
suppliers and demanders 11, 15, and the like serving as other parties who
perform exchange of electric power; determination of whether the exchange
of electric power with the other parties is delivery or intake; control
of an electric power rate and an electric energy and the like. This
function controls at a high level that connection is made by
communication circuits among the electric power networks; data such as
necessary electric power and electric power available for supply for
mutual electric power suppliers and demanders, an electric energy and an
electric power rate thereof, and these related future estimations are
exchanged and processed; and electric power among the respective electric
power suppliers and demanders is accommodated with each other.

[0106]The function of the above electric power supply and demand control
devices 104 and 153 serve as a circuit breaker and a current limiter by
configuring based on, for example, a voltage converter, a current
controller, and a switch, which are provided with various control
functions; by individually switching communication channels of necessary
electric power by control of the converter or the like; and by being
based on the size of a transmission current and characteristic analysis
of transient phenomenon. This allows the electric power supply and demand
control devices 104 and 153 to control so that, for example, when an
electrical fault is occurred in a certain electric power supplier and
demander, each electrical device (load 103), electrical storage device
102, and power generation device 101 of the supplier and demander are not
completely cut off, but only a necessary line is cut off and other line
can be used without cutting off.

[0107]By the way, in the electric power system shown in FIG. 1, a properly
collected number of groups of the electric power suppliers and demanders
can be treated as one electric power supplier and demander. As shown in
FIG. 5, electric power supplier and demander groups G11, G12, . . . show
a group at this time (for example, approximately several tens to ten
thousands of houses).

[0109]For example, the electric power supplier and demander groups G11,
G12 . . . are set as a "town" unit; G21, G22, . . . are set as a "city"
unit; and G31, G32, G33, . . . are set as a "prefecture" unit.

[0110]In FIG. 6, the electric power supplier and demander groups G11, G12,
. . . are mutually connected with other electric power suppliers and
demanders by the electric power supply and demand control devices S1;
however, the respective higher hierarchies and lower hierarchies are
hierarchically connected with each other via electric power supply and
demand control devices S2, S3, S4, . . . .

[0111]In the above embodiments, there is described a case where the
respective electric power suppliers and demanders are connected in a
branched shape as shown in FIG. 7(A). The respective electric power
suppliers and demanders may be connected in a star shape as shown in FIG.
7(B) or may be connected in a net shape as shown in FIG. 7(C). Further,
the respective electric power suppliers and demanders may be connected in
a mode combined with these shapes.

[0112]FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an electric power supplier
and demander connected via an electric power supply and demand line which
is different from a plurality of other electric power suppliers and
demanders. In FIG. 8, a bi-directional DC/DC converter 712 transports
electric power among the electric power supply and demand lines W1, W2,
and W3 and can intermediate electric power supply and demand among other
electric power suppliers and demanders, for example, in the connection
mode of the electric power suppliers and demanders as shown in FIG. 7(C).
The transportation of electric power among the electric power supply and
demand lines W1 to W3 includes a mode which supplies and demands electric
power by moving a movable power generation device and/or a movable
electrical storage device.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0113]According to the present invention, there can be provided an
electric power system, in which a plurality of electric power suppliers
and demanders is configured by being mutually connected by electric power
supply and demand control devices, without depending on the known
electric power system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0114]FIG. 1 is an explanation diagram showing an embodiment of an
electric power system of the present invention.

[0115]FIG. 2 is a block diagram exemplifying a configuration of one
electric power supplier and demander and an electric power supply and
demand control device thereof.

[0116]FIG. 3 is an explanation diagram at a time when an electric power
supply and demand control device of an electric power supplier and
demander performs supply and demand of AC electric power with other
electric power supplier and demander in an electric power system of the
present invention.

[0117]FIG. 4 is an explanation diagram at a time when an electric power
supply and demand control device of an electric power supplier and
demander performs supply and demand of DC electric power with other
electric power supplier and demander in an electric power system of the
present invention.

[0118]FIG. 5 is an explanation diagram in the case of supplying DC
electric power to a load via house wiring of an electric power supplier
and demander in an electric power system of the present invention.

[0119]FIG. 6 is an explanation diagram showing a state where electric
power suppliers and demanders are hierarchized in an electric power
system of the present invention.

[0120]FIG. 7(A) is an explanation diagram in the case where electric power
suppliers and demanders are connected in a branched shape; FIG. 7(B) is
an explanation diagram in the case where the electric power suppliers and
demanders are connected in a star shape; and FIG. 7(C) is an explanation
diagram in the case where the electric power suppliers and demanders are
connected in a net shape.

[0121]FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an electric power supplier
and demander connected via an electric power supply and demand line which
is different from a plurality of other electric power suppliers and
demanders.

[0122]FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a process example of a neural
network.

[0123]FIG. 10 is an explanation diagram showing a known electric power
system.